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TODA
- At four in the morning we wrap rice and grain in a white cloth, and burn it.
- At eleven we cut the hair of the boys and girls.
- At four in the morning the priest goes to the temple (dairy).
- He lights the lamp.
- At eight he milks his buffaloes.
- He puts on no cloth.
- He places butter and ghī before the god.
- Then he grazes his buffaloes, and eats his food.
- Then he puts on his cloth.
- At three in the afternoon he goes again to the temple.
- He kindles a fire, and lights the lamp.
- He puts milk in a chatty, and churns it into butter with a cane.
- He mixes water with the butter-milk, and gives it to the women to drink.
- He alone may sleep in the temple.
- At four in the morning he lets out the buffaloes to graze.
- At seven he milks them.
- The woman's house is down the hill.
- The priest must not go in unto the woman.
- He may not marry.
- When he is twenty, he may not enter the temple.
Another is made priest in his stead.
The religious institutions of the Todas, including the elaborate dairy ritual, and their religion, are described in full detail by Dr. Rivers. The Todas have been to some extent influenced by Hinduism, and some visit the temples at Nanjengōd in Mysore, Karamadai in the Coimbatore district, and other shrines, whereat they worship, present votive offerings, and pray for offspring,
